Assembly apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for assembling component pairs comprising a nest structure for receiving first and second components in aligned relation, a rotary drive for the nest, a clamp structure for securing the first component in the nest to prevent rotation relative thereto comprising a pair of cooperating pincher elements which are pivotally mounted within a slot in the nest structure and which have finger portions to engage the component to be clamped and foot portions against which a member bears to cause rotation of the pincher elements and clamping of the first components, and an axial drive for causing movement of the second component against the first component. Also apparatus for the automatic high-rate assembly of such pairs of components which includes a turret having a plurality of such nest structures rotatably mounted thereupon, rotary drives for rotating the turret and for rotating the nests relative thereto, delivery systems for delivering first and second components in aligned relation sequentially to said nest structures, a system to remove the pair from said nest structure after assembly, a shuttle mounted adjacent the turret including the axial drive, and means for causing the shuttle to rotate such that the axial drive is aligned with a nest structure for a portion of each complete revolution of the turret and for actuating the axial drive when so aligned.

United States Patent Maguire [21] Appl. No.: 872,839

[52] US. Cl. ..29/208 F, 29/211 R, 29/227 [51] Int. Cl. ..B23p 19/04,B23q 7/10 [58] Field of Search ..29/21l R, 211 D, 208 C, 227,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,017,691 1/1962 Austin ctal ..29/227 X Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney-Willis M. Ertman[5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for assembling component pairs comprising anest 1 Jan. 18, 1972 structure for receiving first and second componentsin aligned relation, a rotary drive for the nest, a clamp structure forsecuring the first component in the nest to prevent rotation relativethereto comprising a pair of cooperating pincher elements which arepivotally mounted within a slot in the nest structure and which havefinger portions to engage the component to be clamped and foot portionsagainst which a member bears to cause rotation of the pincher elementsand clamping of the first components, and an axial drive for causingmovement of the second component against the first component. Alsoapparatus for the automatic high-rate assembly of such pairs ofcomponents which includes a turret having a plurality of such neststructures rotatably mounted thereupon, rotary drives for rotating theturret and for rotating the nests relative thereto, delivery systems fordelivering first and second components in aligned relation sequentiallyto said nest structures, a system to remove the pair from said neststructure after assembly, a shuttle mounted adjacent the turretincluding the axial drive, and means for causing the shuttle to rotatesuch that the axial drive is aligned with a nest structure for a portionof each complete revolution of the turret and for actuating the axialdrive when so aligned.

l 1 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PLUG SUPPLY SPRING SUPPLY ASSEMBLED 36PARTS AIR SUPPLY 78 PATENTED M18 872 SHEET 1 BF 5 ll 5&3 I l I 1 I 1 13vm mm NN N Swim? V PAIENTEEB ill B 8!!! SHEET 2 BF 5 PATENIED JAN 18 872IIIJI- PATENIED JAN 18 me I SHEET 5 [1F 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to apparatus for the automatic assembly of componentpairs.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus of economicalconstruction and operation which will accurately assemble componentpairs.

It is a further object to provide such apparatuswhich is capable ofassembling components of relatively small size.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus which iscapable of high-rate assembly of component pairs.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided apparatus forassembling component pairs which includes a nest structure for receivingfirst and second components in aligned relation, a rotary drive for thenest, and a clamp structure for securing the first component in the nestto prevent rotation relative thereto. An axial drive is provided forcausing movement of the second component against the first componentwithinthe nest structure. There are also means responsive to .the axialmovement of the second component, in response to ,the axial drive, toactuate the clamp structure and thereby rotate the first component withthe nest while the second component is forced thereagainst, securingtogether the first and second components. In particular embodimentsclamping structure includes a pair of cooperating pincher elements whichare pivotally mounted within a slot in the nest structure, each pincherelement having a finger portion to engage the component to be clampedand a foot portion. The means responsive to axial movement of the secondcomponent includes a spring-loaded plunger arranged to bear upon eachpincher foot portion to cause rotation of the pincher elements andconsequent clamping of the first component by the pincher fingers.

The invention also features apparatus for the automatic high-rateassembly of pairs of first and second components which includes a turrethaving a plurality of nest structures, as described above, rotatablymounted thereupon, rotary drives .for rotating the turret and forrotating the nests relative thereto, delivery systems for deliveringfirst and second'components in aligned relation sequentially to saidnest structures, and a system toremove the pair from said nest structureafter assembly. A shuttle is mounted adjacent the turret and has theabove-mentioned axial drive mounted thereupon.

Means are provided for causing the shuttle to rotate such that the axialdrive is aligned with a nest structure for a portion of each completerevolution of the turret and for actuating the axial drive when soaligned.

The invention has particular utility in assembling pairs in which thefirst component has a stub protruding therefrom and the second componentis a coil spring to be engaged with the stub. When the components arerelatively small (e.g., the stub being 0.1 l7 inch in diameter and thecoil spring having an inner diameter of 0.l inch) it is preferred thatthe delivery and removal systems employ plastic tubing connected tosources of air pressure or vacuum, as required.

Other objects, features, and advantages will appear from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment, taken together with the attacheddrawings thereof. This description of a particular embodiment is in anillustrative and not a limiting sense as other embodiments of theinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevation of an assembled spring and plug pair;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematical side elevation of apparatus constructedaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing the drivemechanism for the apparatus of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a view taken at 44 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a portion of theapparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation, partially in section, of a portion of theapparatus of FIG. 2, showing detail of an operative station and a nestelement thereof;

FIG. 7 is a section taken at 7-7 of FIG. 6; and FIG. 8 is a detailedview of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred-embodiment to bedescribed is specifically designed to assemble the valve plugs and coilsprings which form a portion of the structure described in US. Pat. No.3,454,198, to John Barry Flynn for Dispensing Device.

An assembled plug 107 and spring 109 pair is shown in FIG. 1. The plug107 is molded of Lexan (a polycarbonate resin) and has a maximumdiameter of 0.120 inch. The stub portion 111 of the plug 107 to whichthe spring 109 is affixed has a diameter of 0.] 17 inch. The spring'l09is constructed from 0.01 8-inch wire formed to an inner diameter of 0.]I0 inch.

FIG. 2 shows, somewhat schematically, ther'elationship of the variousportions of apparatus designed to assemble such valve plugs 107 andloading springs 109. The apparatus is mounted upon a frame member 10,which may conveniently be a table so that component supply equipment andan assembled pair receiving bin may be placed on top of the table.

The apparatus includes a turret 12 upon which are mounted a plurality ofnest structure 14. In the preferred form illustrated, there are eight ofthese nest structures 14 mounted on turret 12. A shuttle I6 is mountedfor rotary motion (as described in detail below) with relation toiturret12. Shuttle 16 has eight operative stations (seen best in FIG. 3)mounted thereon, the same as the number of nests 14. Although only foursteps are required for assembly of plug 107 and a spring 109, anefficient and rapid rate assembly apparatus can be constructed if thereare two separate assembly processes occuring simultaneously. The eightnests l4 and eight operative stations on shuttle 16 provide capabilityfor two separate simultaneous assembly processes. The eight operativestations of shuttle l6 arebest seen in FIG. where they are -labe|ed S-lthrough 5-8. The station functions are as follows: S-l and S-2 are plugI07 supply stations, S-3 and S-4 are spring 109 supply stations, S5 andS6 are the stations where actual assembly takes place, and S-7 and S-8are assembled pair removal stations.

As described in detail below, the supply of plugs and springs and theremoval of assembled pairs from the nest 14 all take place by means ofair pressure and vacuum systems. Thus the schematic illustration of FIG.2 shows a plug 107 supply Source 18 with two separate supply tubes 20and 22 which lead to operative stations S-1 and S-Z. Similarly, a springsupply source 24 supplies springs 109 through tubes 26 and 28 tooperative stations S3 and S-4 after proceeding'through a transfer device30 described in detail below. Air supply tubes 32, 33 provide the meansfor removal of assembled spring and plug pairs through tubes 34 and 36to an assembled parts bin 38. It has been found that the velocityattained by the assembled components within tubes 34 and 36 under theinfluence of the psi. air pressure supplied by tubes 32, 33 is such thatit is desirable to provide a hood over the assembled parts bin 38. Suchhoods are well known of the art and need not be described in detail.Basically, the hood comprises a closed box with an outlet hole in thebottom and inlet couplings for tubes 34 and 36 in one end. The entireinterior of the hood is lined with a material capable of absorbing muchof the energy of the high-velocity spring and plug pairs. A lining offoam rubber has been found adequate for this purpose.

As shown in FIG. 2, motor 40 drives main drive shaft 42 by means ofchain 44 linking the motor sprocket 45 to sprocket 46 which is keyed tomain drive shaft 42. The main drive shaft 42 is supported in pillowblocks 48 and 50, which in turn are rigidly affixed to frame member 10.The motor and the sprockets 45, 46 are chosen so that the main driveshaft 42 will be rotated at approximately 50 r.p.m. Sprocket 52 is keyedto main drive shaft 42 and is maintained in axial location by a setscrew (not shown) in a conventional fashion. Drive chain 56 engages theteeth of sprocket 52.

The details of the rotary drives for turret 12 and nests 14 are nowconsidered with reference to FIG. 3. Turret drive sprocket 54 is splinedto turret drive shaft 58. Chain 56 engages turret drive sprocket 54 andalso sprocket 60 which is splined to shaft 62. The reduction caused bythe sizing of sprockets 52 and 54 results in a rotation of the turret atapproximately 25 r.p.m. Shaft 62 and turret drive shaft 58 are supportedby means of thrust bearings 64 and 66 respectively. Roller bearings (atypical bearing indicated at 68) permit free rotation of both shafts.

The sprockets 54 and 60 are driven by chain 56 in opposite senses topermit the rotation of the nests 14 of opposite sense of that of turret12. To this end gear 70 connects gear 72 which is splined to shaft 62and gears 74 affixed to each nest element 14.

The additional gear 76 on shaft 62 engages gear 78 rotatably mountedabout turret drive shaft 58. Gear 78 has a cam plate 80 integraltherewith, which is ridden by cam follower 82 mounted on the end ofpivoted arm 84. The cam follower 82 and pivoted arm 84 convert therotary asymmetry of the cam plate 80 into a vertical motion of plunger86 which is slidably mounted within turret drive shaft 58 and whichrests upon arm 84. The gearing and cam configuration are such that theup and down motion of plunger 86 occurs four times during eachrevolution of turret 12.

FIG. 3 has been simplified by eliminating all but two of the nestelements 14. The two nest elements shown are aligned with operativestations S-3 and S-7 of shuttle 16. Thus one nest is shown in positionto receive a spring from supply tube 26 and the other nest is shown inposition to eject a spring and plug assembly into tube 34. The airpressure which causes this ejection of assembled spring and plug pairsis supplied through tube 32 through a coupling member 88 mounted inshuttle 16 directly below operative station S7.

Turret 12 has four teeth 90 mounted at 90 increments about itsperiphery. A pawl 92 is attached to one end of an L- shaped pivotedlever arm 94 which is afiixed to shuttle 16 and whose other end supportsa roller 96. Roller 96 engages the underside of a cam plate 98. Spring100, connecting arm 94 and frame 10, maintains the engagement of roller96 on cam plate 98. The point of attachment of spring 100 to the framemember is higher than the point of attachment to pivoted arm 94.Therefore the influence of spring 100 upon roller 96 is both upward asviewed in FIG. 3 and counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 4. Aconventional air spring 101 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) is connected to biasshuttle 16 in a counterclockwise sense as viewed in FIG. 4.

Again referring to FIG. 4, shuttle 16 has upstanding stud 102 positionedto strike and close a microswitch 104 should the shuttle fail to releasefrom the turret 12 at the proper time. The closure of microswitch 104causes immediate stoppage of the apparatus by means of conventionalcircuitry and associated equipment.

Rubber bumper 106 is affixed to the frame member in a position to absorbthe energy of the shuttle after release from the turret andcounterrotation under the influence of air spring 101.

It has been found that the handling of components of the sizespreviously indicated is facilitated by using plastic tubing and airpressure or vacuum sources as required, to transport such components inboth their assembled and unassembled states. Reference has already beenmade to the tubes 20, 22, 26, 28, 34 and 36 in FIG. 2. Details of theair pressure and vacuum systems will appear in the followingdescription.

Again referring to FIG. 2, the plug supply mechanism 18 preferablycomprises a vibrating bowl assembly which continuously presents alignedplugs 107 to a conventional escapement mechanism (not shown). Theescapement delivers plugs 107 one at a time to each of tubes 20 and 22.Plug supply assembly 18 also includes a source of air pressure connectedto tubes 20 and 22.

The spring supply assembly 24 is very similar to the plug assembly 18just described. However, as will be understood by those skilled in theart, the nature of the spring 109 makes it difficult to provide anescapement which delivers them one at a time to tubes which have asource of air pressure connected thereto. Thus transfer device 30 isrequired which includes a source of vacuum connected to the tubes 26aand 28a connecting device 30 with spring supply assembly 24. Thetransfer device 30 is best shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5 this device includes a slide 108 having cavities 110and 112 of appropriate size and shape to accommodate a single spring109. Cavities 110 and 112 are so placed within slide 108 that at theextreme positions in the motion of slide 108 they are aligned with tubes26a and 28a and with tubes 26 and 28 respectively.

The vacuum provided for the delivery of springs from spring supplyassembly 24 to the transfer device 30 is supplied through couplings 114and 116. These couplings communicate with cavities 110 and 112 whenslide 108 is in the extreme position such that cavities 110 and 112 arealso aligned with tubes 26a and 28a respectively. An escapement devicepermits one spring at a time to enter cavities 110 and 112 under theinfluence of the vacuum supplied to each of those cavities. The channels113 and 115 which connected cavities 110 and 112 with couplings 114 and116 are of reduced diameter to prevent a spring 109 from passing throughthe cavity and into the vacuum line.

The movement of slide 108 is produced by cam 118 (driven by the maindrive shaft 42), follower 119, and loading spring 120. Air pressure issupplied by tubes 26!) and 28b which communicate with tubes 26 and 28through cavities 110 and 112.

The escapement device which insures that a single spring 109 at a timewill be delivered to cavities 110 and 112 includes projections 122 and124 which can protrude through notches cut into tubes 26a and 2811respectively and engage the coils of a spring 109. Piston within aircylinder 126 is integral with projections 122 and 124. A coupling 128 isprovided to receive an appropriately pulsed air pressure supply. Thepulsed air pressure supply may conveniently be controlled by means of anair valve actuated by the action of slide 108. Air valve 134 with input136 and output 138 which is connected to coupling 128 is provided forthis purpose. The air pressure is sufficient to overcome the forceofloading spring 132.

The supply of plugs to operative stations S-1 and 8-2 of shuttle 16 hasbeen described, as has been the supply of springs to stations S-3 and5-4 and the removal of assembled spring and plug pairs at operativestations S-7 and S8. It therefore remains to consider the actualassembly of the spring and plug pairs which occurs simultaneously atoperative stations S-5 and S-6. For this purpose we now refer to FIGS. 6and 7.

Operative stations S-5 and S-6 include a hollow generally cylindricalmember 140 which is rigidly afiixed to shuttle 16. Shaft 142 is slidablymounted vertically within member 140. A dowel 144 protrudes from shaft142 and extends through slots in the walls of member 140 to rest uponthe uppermost convolution of spring 146, which biases shaft 142 in theupward direction. Shaft 142 may be forced down into the nest element 14against the influence of spring 146 by rocker arm 148 which is pivotedat 150. The two ends of rocker arm 148 have their lower surfaces incontact with shaft 142 and plunger 86 respectively. The lower end ofshaft 142, is illustrated in FIG. 8, has a recessed center portion 198and an annular rim 200. Rim 200 has recesses 202 which provide verticalsurfaces 204 for engagement ofa coil ofa spring 109.

Each nest element 14 comprises a generally cylindrical body member 152which is rotatably mounted in the turret 12 by means of bearing units154, 156. Body element 152 has a slot 158 laterally transversing it andaxial channels 160 and 162 above and below slot 158 respectively. In theembodiment shown the slot 158 has a width of 0.045 inch and a height of0.467 inch. Channel 162 has a diameter of 0.251 inch and channel 160 hasan ultimate diameter of 0.170 inch but widens at its upper end toprovide a tapered component receiving mouth. Spur gear 74 is attached tothe relieved A plug 170 effectively serves to reduce the diameter ofchannel 162 at its lower extremity. Upper surface 172 of plug 170supports spring 176 within channel 162. Spring 176 loads hollow plunger164, the upper portion of which extends into slot 158. Plunger 164 has aslotted portion 178 of width preferably the same as that of slot 158 inbody member 152. Plunger 164 is oriented within body element 152 so thatslots 158 and 178 are aligned.

Disposed within slots 158 and 178 are pincher elements 180, 182 whichare pivoted at 184 and 186 respectively and which are of such thicknessthat they may freely rotate within slot 158. Each pincher element 180,182 includes an upper finger portion 188, 190 and lower foot portion192, 194.

In operation the turret 12 rotates continuously as driven by the rotarydrive described with relation to FIGS. 2 and 3. The chain 56 isentrained about sprocket 60 in the opposite sense from its entrainmentabout the sprocket 54. Therefore, shaft 62 is caused to rotate in anopposite sense from the turret drive shaft 58. Thus, the rotary drivemechanism for the nest elements 14, comprising shaft 62 and gears 70,72, and 74, produces a rotation of the nest elements in a sense oppositeto the rotation of the turret 12.

The shuttle 16 is free to rotate with respect to the turret 12. Theengagement of pawl 92 on pivoted arm 94 with one of the teeth 90 mountedupon the periphery of turret 12 causes the shuttle 16 to rotate with theturret. The placement of the pivoted arm 94 on the shuttle 16 is chosensuch that, when the shuttle is rotating with the turret, the operativestations of the shuttle will be vertically aligned with the nestelements 14. Roll 96, under the influence of spring 100, rolls in anupward direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, upon the relieved front edge 99of the underside of cam plate 98. When this occurs arm 94 pivots awayfrom the tooth 90 with which it was engaged, thus permitting the shuttleto temporarily rotate, under the influence of air spring 101, in anopposite sense from the rotation of the turret.

While the shuttle 16 and the turret 12 are so aligned and rotatingtogether, the plug supply assembly 18 delivers a plug 107 through eachof tubes 20 and 22 to the nest elements aligned with operative stations8-1 and S2. The plugs 107 are delivered such that they will rest in thenest assembly 14 with the stub portion 111 facing upward.

Similarly, springs 109 are supplied to plug-containing nest elements 14aligned with operative stations 83 and S4. The spring supply assembly 24provides a continuous supply of springs 109 in tubes 26a and 28a. in thetransfer device 30, the projections 122 and 124 operate under theinfluence of a pulsed air supply and spring 132 to deliver one spring109 at a time to cavities 110 and 112. With a spring 109 in each ofcavities 110 and 112, the slide 108 is forced under the influence of cam118 into a position where the cavities 110 and 112 are aligned withtubes 26 and 28, respectively. In this position air pressure is suppliedthrough tubes 26b and 28b, respectively, thereby forcing the springs 109from cavities 110 and 112 into tubes 26 and 28 and thence to theoperative stations 5-3 and 5-4.

The operation of the nest 14 and the operative station S-5 or 8-6 toassemble a plug 107 and a spring 109 is as follows. The nest 14 comesinto alignment with operative station S-5 or S-6 as described above. Theaction of plunger 86 and lever arm 148 force the shaft 142 downward intothe axial channel 160, thus applying downward pressure upon the spring109, the plug 107, and the plunger 164. The downward motion of plunger164 causes dowel 196 to contact the foot portions 192, 194 of pincherelements 180, 182. The rotation of elements 180, 182 thereby producedcauses the finger portions 188, 190 to clamp the plug 107 and constrainit to rotate with the rotating nest 14. (Should foot portions 192, 194strike adjustable stop member 174, further rotation of pincher elements180, 182 is prevented. This prevents entanglement of finger portions188, 190 in a spring 109 in the event of a failure to deposit a plug 107into the nest.)

The nest 14, owing to the gearing described above in connection withFIG. 3, rotates about 2% times with respect to the turret 12 while anest l4 and the operative station S-5 (or S-6) are aligned. The spring109 not only is not gripped to rotate with the nest 14, but is preventedfrom rotation by vertical surfaces 204 in the tip of the shaft 142 whichengage the uppermost convolution of the spring. Thus relative rotationof the plug 107 and the spring 109 is obtained at the same time thatthey are being forced together by the downward pressure of screwdriver142 on the spring 109, thereby causing assembly.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, various modifications thereof will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art and therefore it is not intended that the inventionbe limited to the disclosed embodiment or to details thereof anddepartures may be made therefrom within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for assembling a coil spring component on the stub portionof a second component, said second component having a body portion andsaid stub portion being integral with and extending outward from saidbody portion, the inner diameter of said coil spring component beingless than the largest transverse dimension of said stub portioncomprising a nest structure for receiving coil spring and secondcomponents with said coil spring and said stub portion disposed inaxially aligned relation, a rotary drive for said nest, clamp structurefor securing said second component in said nest structure againstrotation relative to said nest structure, an axial drive for causingrelative movement of said coil spring component against the stub portionof said second component in said nest structure, and means responsive tothe relative axial movement of said coil spring component in response tosaid axial drive to cause said clamp structure to secure said secondcomponent in said nest for rotation therewith and thereby rotate saidsecond component with said nest as said coil spring component and saidstub portions are urged toward one another by said axial drive to securesaid coil spring component on the stub portion of said second component.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including stop means forpreventing entanglement of said coil spring component with said neststructure should assembly action occur without said second componentwithin said nest structure.

3. Apparatus for assembling component pairs comprising a nest structurefor receiving first and second components in aligned relation, a rotarydrive for said nest, a clamp structure for securing said first componentin said nest structure against rotation relative to said nest structure,comprising a pair of cooperating pincher elements pivotally mountedwithin a slot in said nest structure, each said pincher element havingat least one first component engaging finger portion and a foot portionan axial drive for causing movement of said second component againstsaid component in said nest structure, and means responsive to the axialmovement of said second component in response to said axial drive toactuate said clamp structure and thereby rotate said first componentwith said nest to secure together said first and second components, saidmeans responsive to said axial movement of said second componentcomprising a spring-loaded plunger arranged to bear upon each said footportion, when depressed against said loading spring, to cause rotationof said pincher elements and consequent engagement of said fingerportion with said first component.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first component comprises amember having a stub and said second component comprises a coil springsized to engage said stub.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said axial drive comprises a plungerwith a lower tip having a peripheral wall and a recessed center portion,said peripheral wall having relieved regions providing vertical surfacesfor engagement of the upper convolution of said coil spring, and meansfor causing insertion of said plunger into said nest structure to causeinsertion of said plunger into said nest structure to cause saidmovement of said coil spring.

6. Apparatus for the assembly of pairs of first and second componentscomprising a turret having a plurality of nest structures rotatablymounted thereupon;

a first rotary drive for rotating said turret a second rotary drive forrotating said nest structures relative to said turret;

a first delivery system for delivering first components sequentially tosaid nest structures;

a second delivery system for delivering second components sequentiallyto nest structures in aligned relation to said first components;

a clamp structure for securing said first component in said neststructure against rotation relative to said nest structure;

an axial drive for causing movement of said second component againstsaid first component in said nest structure;

means responsive to the axial movement of said second component inresponse to said axial drive to actuate said clamp structure and therebyrotate said first component with said nest to secure together said firstand second components; and

an assembled pair removal system to remove the assembled pair from saidnest structure.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 in combination with a shuttlehaving at least one operative station mounted thereupon and means forcausing said shuttle to rotate such that said operative station isaligned with a nest structure for a portion of each complete revolutionof said turret, said operative station comprising said axial drive.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 including second and thirdoperative stations mounted upon said shuttle, said first and seconddelivery systems comprising said second and third operative stationsrespectively.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said first componentcomprises a member having a stub thereupon and said second componentcomprises a coil spring sized to engage said stub.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said second deliverysystem comprises a vibrating bowl for continuous preliminary alignmentof said coil springs;

a first tubing member for receipt of said preliminarily aligned coilsprings form said vibrating bowl;

a source of vacuum in communication with said first tubing member forthe continuous drawing thereinto of the preliminarily aligned coilsprings from said vibrating bowl;

a second tubing member;

a source of air pressure in communication with said second tubingmember;

a transfer assembly for transfer of said coil springs from said firsttubing member to said second tubing member comprising an escapement forisolating a single coil spring and a slide for transfer of said isolatedcoil spring from said first to said second tubing member;

said second tubing member being in communication with said thirdoperative station of said shuttle for continuous delivery of coilsprings thereto under the impetus of said source of air pressure.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein said means for causing said shuttleto rotate comprises a plurality of teeth disposed about the periphery ofsaid turret; a lever arm pivotally mounted upon a pivot stud which isrigidly affixed to said shuttle, said lever arm constructed and arrangedto engage said teeth with one end thereof, said lever arrn having a camfollower disposed at its other end; a cam surface over which said camfollower rolls cut to cause engagement of said lever arm with one ofsaid teeth for a portion of a complete revolution of said turret andthen to cause rotation of said lever arm about said pivot stud andconsequent disengagement of said lever arm with said one of said teeth;and means to return said shuttle to its rest position for subsequentengagement of said lever arm with another of said teeth.

1. Apparatus for assembling a coil spring component on the stub portionof a second component, said second component having a body portion andsaid stub portion being integral with and extending outward from saidbody portion, the inner diameter of said coil spring component beingless than the largest transverse dimension of said stub portioncomprising a nest structure for receiving coil spring and secondcomponents with said coil spring and said stub portion disposed inaxially aligned relation, a rotary drive for said nest, clamp structurefor securing said second component in said nest structure againstrotation relative to said nest structure, an axial drive for causingrelative movement of said coil spring component against the stub portionof said second component in said nest structure, and means responsive tothe relative axial movement of said coil spring component in response tosaid axial drive to cause said clamp structure to secure said secondcomponent in said nest for rotation therewith and thereby rotate saidsecond component with said nest as said coil spring component and saidstub portions are urged toward one another by said axial drive to securesaid coil spring component on the stub portion of said second component.2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including stop means forpreventing entanglement of said coil spring component with said neststructure should assembly action occur without said second componentwithin said nest structure.
 3. Apparatus for assembling component pairscomprising a nest structure for receiving first and second components inaligned relation, a rotary drive for said nest, a clamp structure forsecuring said first component in said nest structure against rotationrelative to said nest structure, comprising a pair of cooperatingpincher elements pivotally mounted within a slot in said nest structure,each said pincher element having at least one first component engagingfinger portion and a foot portion an axial drive for causing movement ofsaid second component against said component in said nest structure, andmeans responsive to the axial movement of said second component inresponse to said axial drive to actuate said clamp structure and therebyrotate said first component with said nest to secure together said firstand second components, said means responsive to said axial movement ofsaid second component comprising a spring-loaded plunger arranged tobear upon each said foot portion, when depressed against said loadingspring, to cause rotation of said pincher elements and consequentengagement of said finger portion with said first component.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein said first component comprises a memberhaving a stub and said second component comprises a coil spring sized toengage said stub.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said axial drivecomprises a plunger with a lower tip having a peripheral wall and arecessed center portion, said peripheral wall having relieved regionsproviding vertical surfaces for engagement of the upper convolution ofsaid coil spring, and means for causing insertion of said plunger intosaid nest structure to cause insertion of said plunger into said neststructure to cause said movement of said coil spring.
 6. Apparatus forthe assembly of pairs of first and second components comprising a turrethaving a plurality of nest structures rotatably mounted thereupon; afirst rotary drive for rotating said turret a second rotary drive forrotating said nest structures relative to said turret; a first deliverysystem for delivering first components sequentially to said neststructures; a second delivery system for delivering second componentssequentially to nest structures in aligned relation to said firstcomponents; a clamp structure for securing said first component in saidnest structure against rotation relative to said nest structure; anaXial drive for causing movement of said second component against saidfirst component in said nest structure; means responsive to the axialmovement of said second component in response to said axial drive toactuate said clamp structure and thereby rotate said first componentwith said nest to secure together said first and second components; andan assembled pair removal system to remove the assembled pair from saidnest structure.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 in combinationwith a shuttle having at least one operative station mounted thereuponand means for causing said shuttle to rotate such that said operativestation is aligned with a nest structure for a portion of each completerevolution of said turret, said operative station comprising said axialdrive.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 including second and thirdoperative stations mounted upon said shuttle, said first and seconddelivery systems comprising said second and third operative stationsrespectively.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said firstcomponent comprises a member having a stub thereupon and said secondcomponent comprises a coil spring sized to engage said stub.
 10. Theapparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said second delivery systemcomprises a vibrating bowl for continuous preliminary alignment of saidcoil springs; a first tubing member for receipt of said preliminarilyaligned coil springs form said vibrating bowl; a source of vacuum incommunication with said first tubing member for the continuous drawingthereinto of the preliminarily aligned coil springs from said vibratingbowl; a second tubing member; a source of air pressure in communicationwith said second tubing member; a transfer assembly for transfer of saidcoil springs from said first tubing member to said second tubing membercomprising an escapement for isolating a single coil spring and a slidefor transfer of said isolated coil spring from said first to said secondtubing member; said second tubing member being in communication withsaid third operative station of said shuttle for continuous delivery ofcoil springs thereto under the impetus of said source of air pressure.11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for causing said shuttleto rotate comprises a plurality of teeth disposed about the periphery ofsaid turret; a lever arm pivotally mounted upon a pivot stud which isrigidly affixed to said shuttle, said lever arm constructed and arrangedto engage said teeth with one end thereof, said lever arm having a camfollower disposed at its other end; a cam surface over which said camfollower rolls cut to cause engagement of said lever arm with one ofsaid teeth for a portion of a complete revolution of said turret andthen to cause rotation of said lever arm about said pivot stud andconsequent disengagement of said lever arm with said one of said teeth;and means to return said shuttle to its rest position for subsequentengagement of said lever arm with another of said teeth.